Dutch Pantry

Vicki and I met Ron and Jill last night at the Dutch Pantry in Cheoteau, Ok. for dinner. That is about 40 minutes from both of us. The Dutch Pantry is a Amish buffet where last week we ordered 3 pies for our Thanksgiving feast tomorrow. We thought we would pick up the pies, have dinner and get to catch up with Ron and Jill on Friday night. It was a good visit.

CHANTS D'ESPERANCE

Chants D'Esperance - Haitian Baptist Hymnal Song Book

Marc came last night to sing hymns in French and Haitian Kreyol to Vicki and me. He sang them from Chants D'Esperance, the Haitian Baptist Hymnal Song Book that his mom had when he was a young boy. Marc sang "Sweet Hour of Prayer", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", and "Have Thine Own Way Lord".

Marc and Ashton both came to see Vicki. Marc and Ashton got married about 16 months ago. Ashton was in our church youth group when we were working with youth and her parents are also good friends. She met Marc about three years ago. Marc is a young Christian man that is from a Christian family that lived in Haiti before moving to the U.S. Marc and Ashton's visit last night was special. Ashton brought a terrific cherry crisp desert to share with us. Marc later sang softly to us from his family hymnal.

By the way, Marc says that chants means songs and d'esperance means hope.

Songs of Hope and a caring visit, good gifts from Marc and Ashton last night.

Thanks This Weekend

This weekend is special to us with these upcoming Thanksgiving events:

= Friday: an evening meal with Ron and Jill Bradley. (Jacob and Laura Roebuck fly in also)

=. Saturday: Family Thanksgiving Feast. (All the kids and grand kids will be here.)

= Sunday: Church Family meal at 6:00 p.m at Sager Creek Church.

= Sunday Night: Vicki gives her Thanksgiving testimony at church after the evening meal!

Sunday night, Vicki has been asked to share what she is most thankful for this past year in an Thanksgiving service at Sager Creek after our evening church meal at 6:00 p.m. She is excited about this!

Vicki and I are looking forward to a weekend of enjoying family, friends and faith. Vicki has been preparing all week. Yesterday, Cherissa, Meagan and Vicki went grocery shopping to get ready for our family meals and we have been praying for our services at church.

Owasso Ladies.

When we went to Owasso last week, we dropped by briefly to see our good friend Vicki Sherin, who was on the same staff and in the same church with us when we worked in Owasso. It was an unexpected bonus to get to see other ladies that I got to work with for 17 years in Owasso. Vicki and I also enjoyed our brief visit with Vicki, Mary, Renee, Lila, and Linda. We also went to church with Lila at Bethel. All of these ladies were such fun positive people for us to know and work with. Some of them keep up with our journey on this blog and pray for Vicki. When we left, Vicki and I were disappointed that we didn't think to take our camera in to get pictures of all of these ladies that we enjoyed seeing again.

Another quick stop that day was to see Denise and Ed for a few minutes right before Addison's party. Vicki loved seeing Denise's flowers, that were still blooming. This time we took the camera.

Thankgiving Season

Sally, our good friend from Owasso, sent Vicki a card of encouragement with the following quote attached in early May last spring:

"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it." St. Francis de Sales

On April 1st, Vicki's cancer was at the point that most people, with out effective treatment, live only 1.5 months. Statistically, only 30% of people get help from second line chemo and the average time is then only 146 days. Vicki, on April 1st in the condition she was in, was told she could expect only 90 days with good treatment (July 1st). By the doctor prognosis then, we didn't know if we would ever see another Thanksgiving's Day. Sally's note in May was and is a good reminder to trust God and look at the day we have been given.

The Lord has been so good to us. Vicki and I have started our Thanksgiving season early. Last night, we had sweet and emotional times with each other and our Lord giving thanks. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the gifts he has given us. We expect the next 10 days to be a terrific celebration of the Lord's goodness as we enjoy more of his good gifts. We have been given several opportunities during the next 10 days that were hard to imagine last spring.

Thank You Lord for these sweet days of ministry, friends, family, and each other.

Taste of Home Fun

There was a Taste of Home Cooking event in Siloam last Saturday night. Marilyn asked Vicki to go along time ago. This was a much anticipated night of fun for Vicki. She had the best time going with Cindy, Mary and Marilyn. Saturday night, Vicki got to do some of her favorite things: talk about cooking, learn about cooking, and be with good friends. The ladies below are kind of camera shy, but they graciously allowed this group photo for our collection after they got home from the Taste of Home night.

He Has Made Me Glad!

Sunday morning, Vicki sang a solo with the praise team for our worship services. She is very comfortable as a praise team member that sings harmony. She does not think she is a strong soloist. She was not comfortable as she practiced at home this week. However, she said that she would sing it to the Lord and from her heart. Sunday morning, she sang the Hillsong's "Made Me Glad" the first time through before the praise team and church joined in. Vicki said that the song reflects her heart now and it is where she wants to stay with the Lord.

PS. When writing this, Vicki said to suggest that we click on the Hillsong link below and pretend that Vicki sounded that good when she sang today.

Click HERE to for a UTUBE offering of Hillsong's "MADE ME GLAD"

Hillsong - Made Me Glad Lyrics

I will bless the Lord forever
And I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
And He has set my feet upon a rock

I will not be moved, and I'll say of the Lord
You are my shield, my strength, my portion
Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need

Whom have I in heaven but You
There's none I desire beside You

For You have made me glad, and I'll say of the Lord
You are my shield, my strength, my portion
Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
My very present help

You are my shield, my strength, my portion
Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need

You have made me glad, and I'll say of the Lord
You are my shield, my strength, my portion
Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
My very present help

You are my shield, my strength, my portion
Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need
My very present help in time of need
My very present help in time of need

Hillsong - Made Me Glad